It was good seeing Essien back in a Ghanian shirt. I was shocked that he decided to retire in the first place. Yes, like Boateng, it was to protect themselves from injury to prolong their club careers. I get that, and from a financial point of view...it makes sense. But I just don't like that. You should NEVER retire from your national team. That is a shirt you should feel proud to wear until you are either not picked or PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO DO IT.
But, he is back and it was great to see him lead the boys to a HISTORIC WIN. You can talk about one of the worst defensive performance in recent memory...but Ghana were great. It was through the leadership of Essien in midfield that pushed them over the line and gave them that extra bit of juice that was needed. Watching him, it just made me think....they may have gotten to that final if he was in the team in 2010.
There is nothing more useful than having an experienced midfielder. That is where the heart of the game lies and how a team can control a game. Essien may be feeling it in the legs, but he is still the most versatile football player in the world. But his heart lies in center of midfield. If Appiah can somehow extract some of the recesses of energy from him to get at least 75 great minutes from him, then Ghana CAN be a threat at next year's World Cup.
As commendable as Ghana were in the last World Cup, I was always felt they were missing that extra something. They seemed a bit too inexperienced for me to have any faith they could win it. But with Muntari and Boateng back, they will only get better. The real conundrum is what can Essien offer on the grandest stage of them all next summer. Because if Essien can somehow turn those years back and be at his very best....along with the great young talent, then Ghana may just be Africa's hope.
Don't get it twirled up. Nigeria and Ivory Coast have the better players and better talent...but Ghana have that winner's heart that I don't think the two have developed yet. There is just a belief in this team that can play beyond their skill level. It is with that they may surprise the world again.
I doubt Essien can be as fit as he was back in the day. I'm not sure he will be as effective against Holland, or Argentina or any of the other teams that will be out there. But, I will be more than happy if he shows HH that he still has ONE LAST GREAT STRIDE left in his arsenal.
HH
